26 April, 2009

I made the decision earlier in the year to not go to our annual Stampin’ Up! Convention. I can’t believe how time has flown by and those that are going will be making their way to Canberra this coming Thursday. I know that they will be in for a brilliant time of fun and fellowship. They will be celebrating the 20th anniversary of Stampin’ Up! I can’t wait to hear all about it and girls/guys (yes, we have male demos) I wanna see pics!!!

One of the online groups I belong to have organised an event called “Unconvention” for those of us that will not be going to the main event. We will also be having “Make n Take” projects, business tips, swaps etc and we get to do it staying at a luxury hotel aka “home” and will share our accommodation “virtually” with another demonstrator. This is a fun way to get to know someone else. I look forward to getting to know Caroline. I’ll put a link to her blog when I find out the addy later.

Speaking of swaps, I better get my butt into gear. Finally worked out what I am going to do. Nothing like putting last minute pressure on myself LOL. I will come back in the next few days to share some crafty stuff with you. I better get cracking on making the swaps…all 20 of them!!!

Boy it is FREEZING here today. Currently it is 8 C here in Geelong and very windy. The best news is that I took 13 mm or rain out of the gauge yesterday, 6 mm this morning and it is raining again now. We desperately need the rain, not only for our farms and gardens, but to put some water back into the catchments. Fingers crossed this happens.

I am so excited to be joining Dawn Rapsas (US Demo) and Heather Summer (Canadian Demo) for another round of U Stamp. I have met many other lovely demonstrators from around the world and gained lots of new ideas, information and learnt new techniques. If you would like to participate too, please click on the blinkie on the right hand side of my blog for information on how you can join in the fun.

13 April, 2009

I had the bestest day today. A Mini holiday if you like. I have been feeling pretty tired lately and today was just the break I needed.

Shane and I went to Bellarine Adventure Golf down the Bellarine Hwy. Last time we went there the park was closed . Management gave us a free round as compensation as their website had said they would be open on that day. So today we chose to play The Mill Course. Mini Golf is terrific fun! Shane won by 6 strokes. It was hillarious!!! We were also lucky as it was such a gorgeous day to be out and about.

After the game we enjoyed a much deserved ice-cream . Shane had boysenberry and I had rum/raisin. Yummo. We then went to Van Loon’s Nursery across the highway. I haven’t been there for some time either. I managed to buy some more of the miniature lavendars I have in my front garden, so will be able to fill in the area properly. Lavendar has been one plant I have never been able to propogate successfully. Not sure why.

By the time we got home I collapsed with exhaustion. I had had a very busy weekend and needed some time with my feet up and a nice cuppa. I now feel so much better and am prepared to move from holiday mode to work mode again tomorrow. Mini vacations, even just one day, is all we need sometimes to rejuvenate our body and soul. With any luck I will have some time to share something new with you tomorrow.

12 April, 2009

I hope everyone is enjoying the Easter weekend. I am still doing my nursing shifts, but have found some time to relax as well. I made this card and Easter treats on Thursday. The choccies are going to the staff I am working with tomorrow…shhhh…don’t tell them in advance 🙂

Firstly, the card. Not sure it is exactly what I had in mind in the first place. This will be going to my mum. She has been unwell with a virus over the past few weeks, so hopefully she will be feeling better soon. Maggie’s mobile lunches hit the road today to help her out.

Happy Easter Card

I have used the stamp set called “A Good Egg” for this one and did some paper piecing. I blinged it up with some crystal effects and dazzling diamonds glitter.

Easter Treats

Again I have used “A Good Egg” stamp set to create a tag and punched it out with the 1 3/8 circle punch which I layered onto a Tempting Turquoise Scallop Circle. I then added the dots with the white gel pen.

Thanks for looking and I hope you continue to receive the blessings of Easter. Stay safe on the roads if you are out and about.

8 April, 2009

A friend and work colleague of mine is currently traveling in Europe – lucky duck! I made this card for her and gave it to her on the eve of her trip recently.

Bon Voyage Bouquet

I am sure she is having an awesome time as I type this post. She loves really bright colours and this stamp set just screams “Bright” to me. It is really easy to make a card and impact with this stamp set. A great set for those new to stamping as you can simple stamp up and cut out the flowers as I have done here and it doesn’t get much easier than that.

It is a really good set to have in your stash as it is very versatile. For example, I thought it is also the type of set to use to cheer someone up, for sending when the weather is cold, to scrapbook with or to celebrate an occasion.

On this card I also blinged it up by using the clear jewelled brads from the pretties kit and the stylized silver hodepodge. Gives an elegance to the card which would have been lacking otherwise. A girl can’t have too much Bling afterall!!!!

7 April, 2009

When I got the chance to preorder some new stamp sets from the new catalogue, I jumped at the chance. Particularly the Level 3 Hostess Set called Window Dressing. I had so many ideas swirling around in my head for how I would use it. The following card took me 2-3 days to complete. I would get stuck on what I was trying to achieve, so walked away and left it on my desk. I would return periodically from other activities around the home – read chores – and just look at it and try to determine what I needed to do to complete the task. Oh how I wished for some new In-Color ribbon to match it.

I stamped the image twice and coloured only the shutters and semi circular window at the top on one image and layered the second image on top. I scored the shutters on the upper image so they are actually raised up at the sides. This may not be too evident in the picture, but hopefully you get what I mean. Anyways, here is my finished card. Let me know what you think of it.

Window On The World

I was trying to work out what it reminded me of. I finally have it. It reminds me of Holly Hobby from years ago, especially with the spots in the background. A classic kind of look.

I am so excited to be able to announce that as a result of all the wonderful customers around Australia whom purchased the advertised stamp sets through our Bushfire Appeal, together we raised $77,889.63 Awesome result!!! In reality of course this figure is actually higher as it does not factor in that various demonstrators, myself included, donated our commissions during this time.

We really can and do make a difference. Thanks everyone for your support.

1 April, 2009

Yes, the day has finally arrived. Talking with other demonstrator friends, we all felt like last night was the REAL New Year’s Eve LOL. Some even had champers. Me, I got home from work and was happy to drink cordial/water as I was a bit dehydrated.

I have placed my order a little while ago. Now the waiting game begins again. I’m sure all the Australia Post staff are trembling in their boots right now as obsessed demos and customers stalk them for their new supplies *LOL*

I have put a link to the new catalogue on the right hand side of my blog so you can go and check it out online for yourselves. Don’t forget to contact me if you want your own personal copy to browse through. I have put post it notes everywhere in mine. I decided to take a copy to officeworks this year and get it spiral bound and have clear plastic covers put on it. I pick it up tomorrow morning, so will show you then how it turns out *grin*